Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 63-1-851: Public policy as to development of long-term services

The Legislature hereby declares that it is the public policy of

the State of Oklahoma that the offering and development of long-term

care services should be made in a planned, orderly and economical

manner consistent with and appropriate to services needed by people

in various regions, districts or localities in the State of

Oklahoma, and that it is essential to the realization of this public

policy that the offering and development of long-term care services

in the state be made in accordance with the needs for such services.

It is the purpose of the Legislature in enacting this act to further

this public policy by providing for the submittal of plans and

applications, and by prohibiting the offering, development or change

of existing services prior to the issuance of a certificate of need

by the State Department of Health.